Graphic Greats: Design Lines

A few weeks ago we discussed how to create many different types of
lines in the tutorial Let There Be Lines.
For this issue of Graphic Greats, I followed up on that topic and found
some pretty stunning examples of creative line use.

If you are a regular reader, you may remember this shot of the Cysive
Web site as one of the featured sites from the lines tutorial. I mentioned
that this effect could be created with masks. Since the lines tutorial,
however, we have also looked at masks. The two topics tie so well together,
I have included a rough mini-tutorial here for you on this effect. Note:
The samples here are use PhotoShop, but the method is identical in PaintShopPro.

Selection created along the desired line.

Creating lines with masks
This little tutorial assumes you have read Masks
Are Easy ... Really!. Create a layer containing your texture. Add
a Show All mask (filled with white) to the layer.

Select the area you would like to define as a line. Activate mask editing.
Apply a linear fill to achieve the look you desire.

Here, a linear fill is applied to the selection.

Lines created with opposing linear fills.

Background color changed from white black in the top
image and to a muted green in the lower sample here..

In this sample, a linear fill is applied to the selection. The selection
is then inverted, and a linear fill applied to the new selection from
the opposite direction.

I have included two variations here to show where masks really shine.
The only change I made for the bottom two images was to fill the background
layer with black for the first and then an olive green. You can also
play with textures over textures, varied colored backgrounds 
the list of possible variations is endless.

Keep masks in mind when you are looking for a unique effect. When you
need a line, think way beyond just clicking and dragging a line. You
can be very creative while you help to direct your visitors with linear
direction.

Now let's take a look at a few more sites where lines have been used
very creatively and effectively.

Wendy
Peck is a working Web designer and writer living in NW Ontario, Canada.
http://wpeck.com